My brother D. Boyd Lane graduated from Hoxie High School in 1964 and was allowed to do the graduation walk with his classmates but the folder that held his diploma was empty. The reason given was that he owed for a couple of his Senior pictures. I remember being told to not mess up in school or it would go on your permanent record but this was excessive and uncalled for. I have been out of school now going on my 6th decade and have yet to see my 'permanent record', come to think of it I have not been ask to see my diploma by any of the three or four employers I have worked for. Nonetheless it was hard earned and should not be a thing that is held ransom for debt owed.

 The Hoxie All School Alumni has a meeting and banquet every three years and I had the grand idea of trying to solve the case of the missing 1964 diploma. On June 9, 2012, I sent this email to Marlyn Tate a class mate and life long friend who was then the President of the Hoxie School Board.





Hello Marlyn,

I have something you may be able to help me with. My brother Boyd Lane graduated at Hoxie in 1964. I have no way to research the actual circumstances but from what I remember he owed the school some dues for something and he was allowed to attend the ceremony and do the graduate walk with his class mates but the folder was empty and did not contain the signed certificate of graduation.

I am not familiar with how the decades old records are kept or even if they still exist and have no personal knowledge of the exact reasons for him not receiving a signed diploma. I do know that it has been something he has wanted to rectify for a long time. I remember on more that one occasion him saying that he had an inkling of how in 1961 NY Yankee Roger Maris must have felt when he hit 61 home runs to beat Babe Ruth’s Record and the asterisk was placed by his name in the record book.

The 50th anniversary of the graduating class of 1964 is fast approaching and I would love to surprise Boyd with an official diploma if it is possible and the correct thing to do. Any help or directions you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Dwight Lane
Hoxie High School
Class of 1961



  Our goal was to remedy this missing diploma situation in time to present it to Boyd at the 50th anniversary of the class of 1964. Marlyn Tate called Superintendent Dennis Truxler, who was himself a product of the Hoxie School system and former coach, and found him to be very agreeable to our quest. I picked up the diploma the day before the Alumni banquet and was surprised to learn that it was the very last day for Superintendent Truxler who was on to better things after a very long and successful career at Hoxie.

Saturday May 17, 2014  the 50th anniversary of the Hoxie Mustang Class of 1964 and Marlyn Tate presented the long awaited and much deserved diploma to D. Boyd Lane in front of his classmates and the entire All School Alumni.